Abdominal supporting-bandage.



. Patented Aug..l2, 19021. M. T. BARNETT. ABDOMINAL SUPPORTING BANDAGE.

(Application filed Kay 15, 1902.)

(No Model.)

Tu: Npnms PETERS cu. PNOTO-LH'HO. WASNINGTON. n. c.

UNITED STAT-Es PAT NT OFFICE.-

MILDRED T. BARNETT, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

ABDOMINAL SUPPORTlNG-BANDAGE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 706,715, dated August 12, 1902.

Application filed May 15,1902.

T0 at whom it may concern:

Be it known that LMILDRED T. BARNETT, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city and county of San Francisco, State of 5 California, have invented an Improvement in Abdominal Supporting-Bandages; and I hereby declare thefollowing to be a full clear', and exact description of the same.

My invention relates to a bandage which is especially designed for abdominal support, for ruptures, andfor like useswhere such a device may be applied. l a

It consists in the formation of a universallyelastic bandage made to fit the part to be supported by cutting gores from the top, bottom, orends, bringing the parts together, and unit: ing the edges of the cut-out portions, said joints or seams having reinforcing-pieces applied to them, and in the further application of elastic reinforcing strips or pieces wherever an increased pressure upon a part may be desired.

It further consists in the reinforcing of the edges of the elastic bandage by turning them over to form hems and inserting in said hems tapes or equivalent means for the attachment of connecting straps or hands whereby connections may be made to support the band in place or to support articles of clothing therefrom.

It also comprises details of construction, which will be more fully explained by reference to the accompanying drawing, which is a view of the inner surface of my invention.

Supporting-bandages of various descriptions have hitherto been made of substantially inflexible material or of material partially flexible and partially inflexible and in which the elastic qualities of the material can be utilized in one direction only. Such bandages depend principally upon the longitudinal elasticity of the fabric to fit them to the part where they are to be used.

It is the object of my invention to form a bandage from a single sheet of rubber or gutta-percha having elasticity in every direction and to fit said sheet to. the particular form or part where it is to be applied by cutting out gores transversely and in various parts bringing the edges of the gores thus formed together and uniting them and after- $erial No. 107,396. (No model.)

ward reinforcing them with overlaid strips of similar elastic material cemented thereto, so that a bandage thus made will yield in every direction and can be made .to absolutely fit the part to which it is tobe applied.

As shown in my present construction, ,A is a sheet of rubber having a sufficient length and width for the form of bandage to be. employed. The device here illustrated is intended for an abdominal bandage having thegreatest width in the center and tapering toward each end. In order to. fit such a bandage to the great variety of forms to which it may be necessary to apply it, I cut outgores, as at 2, extending from the bottom upwardly. These gores are cut wherever the form requires, as shown by measurements taken. The edges are then brought together and stitched or cemented, and they are afterward overlaid by strips, as at 3,which are cemented over the united edges and preferably on the inner side, so that the exterior of the bandage presents a smooth surface. These overlying strips 3 are also made of rubber and elastic in every direction, so that they will yield in unison with the main portion of the bandage and in every direction. To make a suitable fit where the bandage passes over the hips, I have shown other gores cut, as at 4:, and in like manner united and overlaid with reinforcing-strips.

To the end of the bandage I fix, by stitching or otherwise, inelastic connecting-pieces, as at 4:, forming substantially a continuation of the elastic portion of the bandage and a means for carrying the eyelets 5, which are fixed in the edges of these extensions and serve to receive the lacing-strings 6, by which the device may be applied and fitted and any desired tension brought upon it.

The upper and lower edges of the bandage are turned over to form hems, and in either one of these hems and at any desired points may be inserted inelastic tapes, as at 7, which extend parallel with the edge wherethey are inserted. In the present construction l[, have shown these tapes inserted in the lower edge of the bandage and adaptedfor the connection of elastic or other straps 8, whichmay pass around the thighs or other parts to retain the bandage in proper position. These transversely from-the top downwardly and straps may also be made elastic, if desired, and similar elastic straps may connect the lower edge of the bandage with the stockings, so that the latter can be supported directly from the bandage.

In cases of hernia or where parts need especially-increased support I apply reinforcing strips or patches, as at 9, and these are also made of elastic or pure rubber and of any suitable or desired thickness, or they may be overlaid to increase the thickness and conseshape the bandage to the person, and means for securing the bandage.

2'. An abdominal or like bandage consisting of a sheet of material elastic in every direction, having gores cut transversely from the edges, the cut edges united, and elastic overlying strips cemented over said seams.

3. The combination in an abdominal or like bandage of a sheet of material elastic in every direction having gores cut transversely and from the ends, the cut edges united to fit the bandage to the person, elastic overlying strips cemented over said seams, and inelastic end pieces attached to the end of the bandage having eyelet-holes and lacing-strings whereby the bandage may be adj ustably fitted and retained in place.

4. The combination in an abdominal or like bandage of a sheet of material elastic in every direction, having gores cut out and the edges united and overlaid with elastic reinforcingstrips, hems formed upon the edge of the bandage, inelastic tapes secured within said hems and forming the bases for the attachment of straps whereby the bandage may be held in place.

5. The combination in an abdominal or like bandage of a sheet of material elastic in every direction and formed to fit the person, supplemental elastic reinforcing-pieces cemented on the bandage toprovide for increased pressure at desired points, and means for adjustably securing the bandage in place.

i 6. The combination in an abdominal or like bandage of a sheet of material elastic in every direction cut to measure to fit the part to which it is to be applied, having elastic reinforcingstrips overlying the seams, supplemental elastic reinforcing-patches cemented on the bandage at desired points, inelastic strips forming continuations of the ends of the bandage with eyeletholes and lacing -strings, hems formed upon the edge of the bandage with inelastic tapes secured therein and straps connected with said tapes whereby the bandage may be adjustably fitted.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

MILDRED T. BARNETT. Witnesses:

S. H. NOURSE,

J nssin O. BRomn 

